Pngale (Hutan Rimba) -Takibangke

The Indigenous Community of Tau Taa Bongka residing in Takibangke Village originally comes from a group of tribes from a place called Linte Tua (now hamlet 4). Takibangke Village and Paranonge Village, along with a small part scattered in the Pngale area (Forest). In 1980, the community began farming in a place called Uen Suke for their most dominant food needs. In 1997, through the KAT program (Remote Indigenous Communities) initiated by the Ministry of Social Affairs, three residences/houses were built with the aim of preventing the Indigenous Community of Tau Taa from being scattered and settling in Takibangke. In 2008, Lipu Takibangke blossomed into a definitive village until now. However, in this determination, some community groups chose to return to Paranonge Village and Linte Tua Hamlet due to discomfort with the program and the area’s condition, which has the potential flood threat from the river currently located along Hamlet 1-2. As a result of this condition, the community prefers to create Lipu in Hamlet 3 Tonto (Padawuyu) and Hamlet 4 Linte Tua until now.

The Indigenous Community of Tau Taa Bongka has an area that is protected and managed specifically through generations, namely: Pngale or Rainforest. Pngale is a rainforest that has never been touched by the community and is only used to harvest non-timber forest products (HHBK). The Pngale area has several important objects such as Lake Ligis, which is believed to have sacred or holy value. This area also has historical value as Bente or a fortress during the war between the Taa Tribe and To Lage, who now inhabit the Tojo area. This area is also believed by the community to be a buffer zone for clean water sources. In general, the Indigenous Community of Tau Taa Bongka understands the division of space as follows:

• Lipu Zone: which is a settlement area for living.
• Nawe Zone: which is a farming or gardening area, and within this area, there is Yopo (Young Forest).
• Pngale: which is a rainforest or primary forest that has never been managed for agricultural/plantation areas.

The management of Pngale is not specifically regulated by the existing customary institutions in the community. The community is allowed to take resources available in the Pngale area, and outsiders may also take with the permission of the village government/customary institutions. Rules and prohibitions are also not specifically written about what can and cannot be done in Pngale. However, usually, the customary institution will impose sanctions in the form of fines or Givu first if there are violations in the Pngale area that damage or harm the environment. The current customary institutional structure consists of:

• Andeng Suni (Chairperson)
• Tun Sese (Secretary)
• Leadi Tumpe (Member)

The protection of the Pngale area or Rainforest contributes to the welfare of the Indigenous Community of Tau Taa Bongka. They are allowed to utilize forest products such as: rattan, resin, honey, agarwood, wild candlenut, for consumption or for sale in limited quantities. In addition, the protection of this area is also related to the historical, cultural, and spiritual values of the Indigenous Community of Tau Taa Bongka—which contains important historical and sacred sites. Pngale also contributes to the preservation of forests and the biodiversity within them. This biodiversity includes flora and fauna such as: Anoa, Alo Bird, Cuscus, Sulawesi Eagle, Civet (Traya), Black Monkey (Macaca Nigra), Tangkasi (Tarsius), Babirusa, and various species of hooked-beak birds such as Sparrows. There are also Pitcher Plants, Orchids, Forest Bees, Damar Resin, Agarwood, and Rattan.

There is currently no legal basis or specific regulation governing the recognition and protection of the Indigenous Community of Tau Taa Bongka as legal subjects or the recognition and protection of the protected management area.